All of John Mason International’s drivers achieved the Driver CPC qualification last year in line with recent legislation. From the 10^th September 2009, all professional lorry and van drivers must obtain the Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification in order to legally drive in a professional capacity within the EU. This is in addition to the vocational driving licence.

The introduction of the Driver CPC via EU Directive 2003/59, aims to improve road safety as well as developing driving skills and keeping skills and driver awareness knowledge continually up to date. Reviews of the Driver CPC are to be undertaken every five years or on a continual basis so that 35 hours of training is completed within five years.

The John Mason Fundraising Committee recently held a Strawberry Tea to raise money for the charity Breast Cancer Care. The event was held at John Mason International’s Head Office in Liverpool last Wednesday during lunch hour.

During the Strawberry Tea, a variety of cakes were sold along with strawberry trifles, scones with strawberry jam, strawberries and cream and tea and coffee. Everyone attending participated in a ‘Fruit Quiz’ which involved questions such as ‘which country did the strawberry originate from’ and true and false facts about strawberries which was enjoyed by all. Further donations were raised with a Strawberry Tea raffle.

The event raised over £140 pounds for Breast Cancer Care. Breast Cancer Care is an organisation which provides support to anyone affected by breast cancer including practical and emotional support. The charity also campaigns for healthcare improvements related to breast cancer. More information on Breast Cancer Care’s Strawberry Tea can be found here:  http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/get-involved/in-your-community/strawberry-tea-2010/

A key part of John Mason International’s Environmental Policy is the recycling of packing materials, general office waste and also computer equipment. Recently, John Mason International received a Certificate of Recycling from Ecosystems IT Ltd, based in the North West, for our recycling activities. The Certificate confirms that 100% of the used office equipment recently collected by Ecosystems IT Ltd will be recycled and not go to landfill.

Ecosystems IT Ltd are appointed by the Environmental Agency in order to provide recycling services to businesses in the UK. 85% of equipment collected by the company is recycled whole and the 15% is reduced to base components which are then used in manufacturing.

National Sales Manager for John Mason International, David Ozard, has been interviewed about moving overseas for the Australian Immigration website, Embrace Australia. The article, entitled ‘Your Guide to International Removals’ explains the moving process and provides advice with regard to obtaining a quotation, packing for your move, storage and insurance among other issues. The article can be found here: http://www.embraceaustralia.com/your-guide-to-international-removals-7065.htm.

John Mason International are on Facebook. Find us by typing in ‘John Mason International’ in the search bar on Facebook. On our page you will be able to find company news and helpful international moving tips.

John Mason International have joined Twitter! Follow us by searching for JohnMasonMovers or click here http://twitter.com/JohnMasonMovers.

The FIDI Academy is a service offered by the FIDI Global Alliance to its members. It provides high quality training for staff of FIDI member companies which will aid move managers when planning and co-ordinating overseas removals. John Mason International have been sending staff members to the Academy for many years and it is a key part of our staff training policy.  

The Academy was started in 1988 and since then, over 4000 members of staff from FIDI affiliates around the world have attended and benefited from one of the courses or seminars. The mission of the Academy is to promote education and best practice in the international removals industry.

There are three principal courses currently run by the academy. These are as follows: Essentials in International Moving (EiM) Diploma, Master in International Moving (MiM) Diploma, and the Leaders in International Moving (LiM) Diploma.

The above courses are held frequently throughout the year at various locations around the world in order to accommodate as many FIDI members as possible. In addition to training, the courses are a networking opportunity and allow move co-ordinators and managers to make contacts and create friendships with other move managers around the world.

The Academy also run Culture Awareness seminars which aim to encourage understanding of business cultures across countries in order to facilitate business transactions and the co-ordination of overseas removals. Webinars are also held on cultural awareness and other topics of interest relevant to the moving industry such as ‘Planning a Move’, ‘Time Management’ and industry updates such as changes to customs regulations or VAT requirements.

Post-Diploma Training (PDT) is also offered by the FIDI Academy. This is an opportunity for a staff member of a FIDI member company to work abroad for a week in another company to gain experience and insight on the moving industry from another company’s perspective.

The FIDI Academy offers the opportunity to obtain a Career Degree which is a FIDI regulated educational standard in the international removals and relocation industry. The achievement of ‘Fellow of the FIDI Academy’ requires 2500 points per employee and can be attained via the completion of FIDI Academy courses.

FIDI affiliated companies can also receive points for sending employees on courses. Currently, John Mason International has achieved Gold Supporter status as three John Mason employees have so far attended and achieved the EiM Diploma and one John Mason team member has completed the MiM Diploma. A fourth John Mason employee is due to attend the EiM Diploma course later this year.

A member of the John Mason team, Caroline Mason, attended the recent Young Movers event at the BAR Conference in Bristol earlier this month. The Young Movers is an organisation for people in their 20s and 30s who are involved in the domestic and international removals industry. The Young Movers supports its members by providing training opportunities and networking events to allow members to build contacts and learn more about the moving industry.

The previous two events have been a great success. The first event was held in Birmingham in Star City and concentrated mainly on providing a platform for making contacts and establishing friendships. The second event was held in BAR HQ in Watford introduced training to the group in the form of a number of presentations from industry experts. There was also a fun activity at the end of the day also of course!

The first event at a BAR Conference was held this month. All the group members enjoyed the challenges of the ‘Jungle Rumble’, a crazy golf establishment at Cabot Circus in Bristol, nearby to the BAR Conference hotel. Members were divided into teams of four who then proceeded to make their way around the 18 hold course. This was a great opportunity for relaxed networking as the numerous bad putting shots from various people gave everyone something to laugh about!

Loren Webster, BAR Training Manager said ‘there was a massive buzz around the Young Movers group, people are really excited about our project and I think the European Young Movers conference I am going to will create further contacts for us all’.

Feedback from the event found that everyone appreciated the efforts which had been made to organise the meeting as well as really enjoying the evening and finding it to be useful for their career.

As well as being beneficial for UK moving and affiliate companies, the events are starting to attract BAR members from overseas who are looking to form associations with UK companies. Overseas removal companies have the opportunity to develop relationships in a friendly environment whilst also benefiting from the training and business seminars.

Pampos Thouki from Columbia Worldwide Movers in Cyprus, who attended the meeting in Bristol, feels that the importance of groups such as the Young Movers cannot be underestimated. He commented, ‘In my opinion, these kinds of events are crucial not only in establishing new business partners or new meetings between UK and Overseas affiliates, but also to establish a direct line to the next generation of people working in the removals industry. If this sequential line managed to break, then the bonds and the cooperation that the past or the current generations have and wish to transfer to us, will be permanently lost. This kind of events should be more tactical and should be not only in UK but in other places as well. I strongly recommend that, so that the business relationships will become personal also and would have the meaning of true friendship’.

All Young Mover members are now looking forward to the next event which is to be held on the 18th June in Birmingham. The next event will involve a business seminar focussing on quality standards and health and safety. Afterwards there will be go-karting followed by a dinner.

John Mason International Removal Coordinators and members of the John Mason fundraising team, Gill Allward and Mary Wright both completed a Starlight Walk for Woodlands Hospice on Saturday 15^th May of this year. They raised a combined total of over £200 for the charity through sponsorship.

Woodlands Hospice provides day care therapy for people living with life limiting or terminal illnesses in Knowsley, Sefton and North Liverpool.  The Starlight Walk is unique in that it is held during the night, with the event starting at midnight. It is one of a number of fundraising events which the Hospice organises each year.

Walkers could choose from a 3 or 6 mile route. Wanting a challenge, Gill and Mary took the harder option of the 6 mile route and both completed the walk with a great time of 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Gill Allward comments about the walk:

‘It was weird doing the walk at night because the only people on the road were taxis.  They all showed brilliant support though by beeping their horns as they passed. The atmosphere of the event was great – we laughed the whole 6 miles. We were both really stiff on Sunday – and tired. I was still hobbling round for a few days afterwards!’.

John Mason International are featured in the FIDI 60th Anniversary Commemorative Book. FIDI (Federation des Déménageurs Internationaux) is a global network of independent, international removal companies which work together to improve industry standards and to promote FIDI affiliated companies. John Mason International are founding members of FIDI.

The book was given to all international moving companies and conference atendees at the annual FIDI Conference which was held in Melbourne in April of this year. The book documents the history of the organisation, right from the first meeting in Switzerland in 1950 to the present day. A John Mason advert from the 1960s is featured on page 17 of the book (see photograph above) with the following caption:

‘Stanley Mason of John Mason in Liverpool caused a certain amount of controversy in the early Sixties when he used this picture to promote his company. In fact, he won an industry award for the ad which then ran for years’.